Tubal Ligation

Tubal ligation is the most common surgical procedure used for sterilizing women. Tubal ligation permanently ends the possibility of pregnancy and decreases the risk of getting ovarian cancer. Tubal ligation cannot be carried out on every person. You have to discuss the matter in detail with the surgeon and ascertain whether this procedure is suitable for you and understand the benefits of this procedure in your case compared to other procedures like hysteroscopic sterilization in which a small coil like substance is inserted to fallopian tubes through cervix. This causes scar tissues to be formed resulting in the closing of fallopian tubes.

Preparations

Before opting for tubal ligation procedures every woman needs to have a clear discussion on the following points with her physician or health care provider and understand the merits and demerits of this procedure.
The risks and benefits of reversible and irreversible contraception methods.
Your reasons for opting for sterilization with regard to your age and marital discord.
Discuss the selection of best time for this procedure, whether it be along with your next childbirth or during other abdominal surgeries that you may have to undergo.
The details of the procedure you are opting for and the possibility of failure of the procedure
A woman who plans to undergo tubal ligation after the childbirth of along with an abdominal surgery is required to use contraceptive for one month before the scheduled date for the procedure and for one month after such procedure. This is required to eliminate the possibility of conception during this period.

Laparoscopic procedure

Tubal ligation is usually conducted as a laparoscopic procedure under general anesthesia. This procedure is carried out as a standalone one day outpatient surgical procedure. In this procedure, The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide to create more room for the surgical procedure and to show the organs clearly in the video to be taken. A laparoscope and other instruments for carrying out the surgical procedure are inserted through small incisions of about 1 to 2 cms in size. Laparoscope is an instrument which can be used to take the video of the internal organs and the surgery being carried out that can be viewed by the surgeon in a monitor. By viewing these videos, the surgeon carries out the surgery controlling the miniature instruments for this surgery through their controls which will be available near him. After completing the necessary ligation by sealing the fallopian tubes, the instruments are withdrawn and the incisions are closed by suturing.

After the procedure

After completing the procedure the carbon dioxide gas used or inflating your abdomen will be withdrawn. You can leave the hospital after several hours on the same day or on the next day. If this procedure is carried out along with a child birth or c section, your hospital stay will not be extended because of tubal ligation. You will be having some discomforts like:
• Sour throat
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Shoulder pain
Medication will be given by the surgeon to relieve you from the above difficulties. You can take bath after 48 hours. You should not rub the incision and take care to dry the area after bathing. It is better to avoid strenuous work and sex for one week. Inform your surgeon if you experience fever, fainting, persistent abdominal pain, discharge form incision etc.

Risk factors

Damages may be caused to major blood vessels and internal organs like bladder, bowel etc.
Wounds may not heal and lead to infection
Anesthesia may lead to some problems
Persistent abdominal or pelvic pain
Remember the fact that tubal legation can be reversed and fertility can be restored if necessity arises, but it cannot be guaranteed and taken for granted.